Veterans exposed to toxic fumes from burn pits on military bases in Iraq and Afghanistan say they’re facing a rising rate of breast cancer at home. And they say that’s not their only battle – getting the VA to provide benefits to treat it hasn’t been easy. CBS News' Natalie Brand reports.

CBSN is CBS News’ 24/7 digital streaming news service featuring live, anchored coverage available for free across all platforms. Launched in November 2014, the service is a premier destination for breaking news and original storytelling from the deep bench of CBS News correspondents and reporters. CBSN features the top stories of the day as well as deep dives into key issues facing the nation and the world. CBSN has also expanded to launch local news streaming services in major markets across the country. CBSN is currently available on CBSNews.com and the CBS News app across more than 20 platforms, as well as the Paramount+ subscription service.

Subscribe to the CBS News YouTube channel: http://youtube.com/cbsnews​
Watch CBSN live: http://cbsn.ws/1PlLpZ7c​
Download the CBS News app: http://cbsn.ws/1Xb1WC8​
Follow CBS News on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cbsnews/​
Like CBS News on Facebook: http://facebook.com/cbsnews​
Follow CBS News on Twitter: http://twitter.com/cbsnews​
Subscribe to our newsletters: http://cbsn.ws/1RqHw7T​
Try Paramount+ free: https://bit.ly/2OiW1kZ

For video licensing inquiries, contact: licensing@veritone.com

Earlier today, Spotlight on America exposed a little-known battle faced by our veterans. Many people are being diagnosed with breast cancer at a very young age. That’s ignited a push to raise awareness among service members about this potential risk, and ensure they have resources for early detection. Congress took major steps to address the issue this year, entering a crucial stage when it comes to putting that plan into action.

When you meet Shane Thomas, he'll tell you why his wife was so special, and give you a million reasons for it.

"I married her because of her heart," he told Spotlight on America, "and just how much she gave of herself."

Shane's wife, Dr. Kate Hendricks Thomas, was Marine Corps veteran, deployed to Fallujah, Iraq in 2005, during one of the deadliest years of the war.

More on this story: https://thenationaldesk.com/ne....ws/spotlight-on-amer

Veterans with bladder cancer related to Agent Orange exposure recently received a boost in their VA disability claims. This year, Congress passed the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that added bladder cancer (along with two other conditions) to the Agent Orange presumptive condition list. What does this mean? Basically, Veterans no longer have to provide the VA with a link between service and their bladder cancer if they can prove they were exposed to Agent Orange in service. In this video, Berry Law Veterans advocate and Marine Veteran Seth Chambers explains what this ruling means. If you have bladder cancer and you need assistance getting your VA claim approved, contact Berry Law for a free case evaluation.
To learn more about bladder cancer and Agent Orange, visit: https://ptsdlawyers.com/vetera....ns-disability-agent-
--
BERRY LAW - AMERICA'S VETERANS LAW FIRM
888-883-2483
http://ptsdlawyers.com
https://www.facebook.com/jsberrylaw/
https://twitter.com/PTSDLawyers

From chemotherapy to physical therapy, Jacqueline got all the cancer treatment she needed in-house at one U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical center.
http://explore.va.gov
Explore the benefits VA has to offer and apply today.

In this episode of theSITREP, we discuss new Agent Orange presumptives for Vietnam Veterans and for those who filed VA Disability Claims for Agent Orange Exposure in the past.

Email us at theSITREP@va.gov with questions and topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes. Sign up for our weekly, email newsletter at https://www.newengland.va.gov/info.

WEB LINKS
Visit http://www.newengland.va.gov/sitrep for additional theSITREP content.
For more information about this topic, visit https://blogs.va.gov/VAntage/8....9496/breaking-news-v

ADDITIONAL YOUTUBE PLAYLISTS

VA Service-Connected Compensation
https://youtube.com/playlist?l....ist=PLY7mRNUcQyMTobx

VA Health Care
https://youtube.com/playlist?l....ist=PLY7mRNUcQyMSPkJ

VA Home Loans & Refinancing
https://youtube.com/playlist?l....ist=PLY7mRNUcQyMQyJ4

Specialty Topics
https://www.youtube.com/playli....st?list=PLY7mRNUcQyM

ADDITIONAL VA INFORMATION
The Department of Veterans Affairs has three, separate administrations aimed to serve our country’s Veterans with an assortment of benefits that address the unique needs of every Veteran. To be sure you are interacting with the proper administration within VA, here are short descriptions for each VA administration:

VHA: VA’s Veterans Health Administration is the largest integrated health care network in the United States, with 1,255 health care facilities serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.

VBA: Veterans can earn a range of benefits that help them transition back to civilian life in the country they fought to defend. Through the Veterans Benefits Administration, VA helps servicemembers transition out of military service, and assists with education, home loans, life insurance and much more.

NCA: The job of the National Cemetery Administration is to make sure those who served this nation are never forgotten. NCA provides dignified burial services for Veterans and eligible family members by maintaining 142 cemeteries as national shrines and providing lasting tributes that commemorate their service and sacrifice to our nation.

#theSITREP #VAbenefits #VANewEngland

LAWYER TIPS: 5 WAYS THE PACT ACT HAS CHANGED VETERANS BENEFITS| APPLY OR REAPPLY| BIDEN URGES VETERANS TO APPLY FOR PACT ACT'S EXPANDED HEALTH CARE BENEFITS| ADDITIONAL MONTHLY TAX FREE COMPENSATION

The PACT Act explained: toxin exposure.

#veteransbenefits
#veteransbenefits
#pactact

The PACT Act and your VA resources
https://www.va.gov/resources/t....he-pact-act-and-your

Biden urges Vets to apply for burn pit benefits
https://www.militarytimes.com/....news/burn-pits/2022/

LaRita talks about the benefits of the new PACT Act, the effective dates of any grants and new disabilities that were added to the presumptive diseases list.

Honoring our PACT Act of 2022 (The PACT Act) establishes presumption on in-service exposure to burn pit and other environmental hazards for service in the Persian Gulf.

Establishes presumption for 23 respiratory diseases and cancers as due to exposure to burn pits.

Requires examinations and medical opinions for Veterans with in-service exposure to Persian Gulf as part of duty to assist.

Expands the presumption of in-service herbicide exposure for service in Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Guam, American Samoa and Johnston Atoll.

Added hypertension and monoclonal gammopathy to list of presumptive diseases for herbicide exposure.



Wounded Warrior Project
100% Permanent & Total Disability
Increased Compensation
Total Disability Based on Unemployability (TDIU)
Service Connected Benefits
Compensation and Pension Examination (C&P)
Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) Help
Combined Ratings Table 38 C.F.R. Section 4.25
Rating Criteria
Board of Veterans' Appeals hearings
Pensions, bonuses and Veterans' Relief
VA regional office
Department of Veterans Affairs
DD 214/Statement of Service
How to qualify for Veterans' Preference
Educational benefits for dependents
Military retirement
Bilateral factor ratings in VA disability claims
VA hearing loss examination
VA tinnitus examination
Why you word recognition score is critical
Easy VA disability claims
Audiology C&P exam preparation


Check out other videos from TXC Tells All:

Veterans Tax Free benefits| How to Get VA disability
https://youtu.be/zqrYMmTJtHU

How to Increase VA disability rating for mental health disabilities
https://youtu.be/eYH1zbl6aJU

3 Common VA benefits claims mistakes to avoid
https://youtu.be/RkwsuFTQsUM

10% VA disability rates
2023 VA compensation rates published

This Veteran's Day, Spotlight on America is highlighting an unexpected battle faced by a growing population of servicewomen. Many are being diagnosed with breast cancer, sometimes at very young ages. That’s prompting urgent calls to ensure they have the tools they need for early diagnosis and treatment.

Jessica Purcell beams with pride when she reflects on her years of service. She's part of a Tampa family that always put country first.

"We have over 100 years of combined service just between my mom, my dad, my brother, myself and my husband," Purcell said.

In fact, Purcell's mom swore her in and pinned her lieutenant bars, making her Jessica's first salute as an officer.

More information: https://thenationaldesk.com/ne....ws/spotlight-on-amer